diff --git a/tools/idf_py_actions/tools.py b/tools/idf_py_actions/tools.py
index 8d0cdc2489..098d9a7815 100644
--- a/tools/idf_py_actions/tools.py
+++ b/tools/idf_py_actions/tools.py
@@ -442,6 +442,7 @@ def ensure_build_directory(args: 'PropertyDict', prog_name: str, always_run_cmak
                 '-G',
                 args.generator,
                 '-DPYTHON_DEPS_CHECKED=1',
+                '-DPYTHON={}'.format(sys.executable),
                 '-DESP_PLATFORM=1',
             ]
             if args.cmake_warn_uninitialized:
@@ -482,6 +483,15 @@ def ensure_build_directory(args: 'PropertyDict', prog_name: str, always_run_cmak
     except KeyError:
         pass  # if cmake failed part way, CMAKE_HOME_DIRECTORY may not be set yet
 
+    try:
+        python = cache['PYTHON']
+        if python != sys.executable:
+            raise FatalError(
+                "'{}' is currently active in the environment while the project was configured with '{}'. "
+                "Run '{} fullclean' to start again.".format(sys.executable, python, prog_name))
+    except KeyError:
+        pass
+
 
 def merge_action_lists(*action_lists: Dict) -> Dict:
     merged_actions: Dict = {